Winthrop Street Baptist Church in Taunton has new pastor

Thursday

Aug 2, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 2, 2012 at 2:21 AM

Sporting flip-flops and jeans, southern California native Glen Baeckel said he is settling into his new role at the helm of the Winthrop Street Baptist Church in downtown Taunton. In his late 20s, Baeckel is a fresh face for the church, but said he is receiving a warm welcome.

Marc Larocque

Sporting flip-flops and jeans, southern California native Glen Baeckel said he is settling into his new role at the helm of the Winthrop Street Baptist Church in downtown Taunton. In his late 20s, Baeckel is a fresh face for the church, but said he is receiving a warm welcome.

"I'm definitely the youngest guy they've had here," said Baeckel, 28, who filled a vacancy about two months ago, taking over after David Swenson led the church for 33 years before about three years of an interim pastor. "I'm definitely more casual than anyone they've had before. But everyone's been great, and very accepting. I haven't got a lot of fuss about not wearing a suit on Sundays. That's been good."

For years, it was Swenson's family leading the church, as David Swenson followed in the footsteps of his father before leaving it for his brother-in-law during the interim period. But several church members said Baeckel is a good fit, and they are happy to have him.

Baeckel said his goal with a church of about 150 active members is to make his work all about Jesus, and not about himself. Baeckel, who is married with four children, moved from a community near Riverside California after seeing a listing online for an opening at the Taunton church.

"I felt like it was the right fit for me," Baeckel said. "I really felt like I was called to the area in New England. I felt like there was a tremendous opportunity to share Jesus with people out here."

This is Baeckel's first gig leading a church. He said that for the last nine years he did youth ministry, working with kids.

Baeckel said one of the nice changes from his desert-like home in southern New England is the trees and grass.

"We are not used to seeing so much green," he said. "We like it a lot. We don't have the color green where I come from."